The 1/35 scale CMP F15A Van Lorry by Mirror Models is a challenging build due to lack of clarity in part locations, but experienced modelers can build it into a nicely detailed model.

The kit comes nicely packed in a cardboard box, and each of the gray plastic sprues are individually bagged. On first glance there are many very small parts, and the detail of the molding is good. The parts have very large gateways, or sprue connections, for attaching the part to the sprue. The instructions noted that some of the gates are larger to avoid ejector pin marks, and suggests using a razor saw or scalpel instead of a sprue cutter to remove the parts. The sprue connections are wide but thin, and I didn’t break any of the parts removing when removing them from the sprue.

This is the Scale Aircraft Conversion (SAC) replacement landing gear set for the new tool Airfix EE Lightning kits and I must say that it is a very nice set. I took pictures of the kit parts and SAC parts side by side and as you can see they are pretty well detailed. You do have a little cleaning up to do because of mold seams but this is true with the kit parts also. Having built one of these already, it will be nice to have the metal nose gear for a little extra strength (due to the weight in the nose) on my next one.

The detail on the parts is pretty good and should look very nice after painting. One thing to watch out for is that one of my pieces was a bent a little and had to be straightened out but really was not difficult to do. I highly recommend this set for anyone that is building those kits.

Thanks go to Scale Aircraft Conversions for supplying this for review, IPMS for letting me do the review and all of you for reading it.

With the release of the new Revell-Germany Bf-109G-6 and G-10 there is some nice little updates that are available. The latest release from Master addresses some areas that are absolutely necessary for a kit, the guns and the pitot tube.

The set includes three perfectly machined brass parts, two MG-131 cowl guns and one pitot tube. What can you say about these items? There is no cleanup. Simply replace the kit guns with these beautiful hollow guns. For the pitot tube you will need to drill a hole but nothing is too drastic. The instructions are easy to follow and explain the correct angle for the pitot tube on the Bf-109.

Beautiful rendition in perfectly formed brass, which will provide strength and won’t require cleanup of mold lines makes this an essential aftermarket addition.

Highly recommended

Set 2 of Eduard's PE for the new Revell U-505 in 1/72 scale consists of detail for the deck plus the armament. I’m not particularly “into” photo etch, but when asked I accepted, since I had the opportunity to build the sub. This set consists of one sheet of brass.

I started with the deck plates, as I thought they would be the easiest components. Although the instructions show that Eduard wants the builder to remove various kit parts which they mark in red, there was no removal needed for these parts. I found, however, that removing the kit details (rivets) in the areas where the plates fit worked much better because that way they lie flat. They fit great and adhered nicely with super glue. (I used Bob Smith Industries thin CA for attaching them).

What aviation enthusiast doesn’t have a soft spot for Lockheed Martin’s “Herky Bird”? This successful airframe has been around for decades, and will likely be in production for many years to come, despite recent competition from Airbus and other manufacturers. The aircraft’s history is well known and extensively documented, so, let’s get on with impressions of this plastic version.

Italeri has updated and reissued an exciting new packaging of its C-130 family. This issue (#2746) is based on previously issued fuselage, flying surfaces and interior molding sprues, with a new, updated engine and prop sprue. A new instrument panel reflecting the J model’s glass cockpit is also included on this sprue. This kit will take some time to build, so I’ll give you my initial impressions in case you’re considering a purchase sooner, rather than later.